The House of Representatives has called for the sale of all police barracks across the country to address the deplorable living conditions of police officers.
The House resolution came as Rep. Murphy Omoruyi (LP-Edo) adopted an urgent and important motion during a plenary session held in Abuja on Thursday, October 26.
Omoluyi, who led the debate, said the National Assembly passed the 2020 Police Reform Bill, which was signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari on September 16, 2020.
Omoluyi said that one of the core components of the bill is to address the living conditions of national police officers.
He stated that “between 2019 and 2022, the federal government spent more than $5 billion to renovate the barracks.”
Omoluyi said that all efforts to renovate the barracks have failed.
Omoruyi said there has been a lively national debate and a call for a community-oriented policing strategy.
He stated that “having Nigeria’s police officers live among the general population, rather than in remote barracks, would greatly satisfy these voices and improve public safety.”
The senator stated that the barracks system of housing police officers and local police officers was a relic of the colonial era and was abandoned by the colonialists.
He said that due to the poor working conditions of the police officers, the public has lost trust and respect for the brave police officers;
He added that the deplorable living conditions of the police officers have lowered their morale and productivity.
The legislator suggested that it would be beneficial to police officers to eliminate the barracks model and enhance the “housing allowance,” which is determined by rank, existing police pay scale, and location of service.
The House adopted the motion and urged the Department of the Interior and the Department of Police to contact the Department of Public Enterprises to assess the value of federally owned barracks nationwide.
The House said the public should be informed of the public offerings.
The House established an ad hoc committee to hear from all interested parties to develop a comprehensive addendum to the police reform bill.
The House also ordered the Appropriations Committee to ensure the reallocation of funds for barracks maintenance across the country.
The House directed the committee to report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
